POWDER RIVER, A PETYGREE WESTERN ACT 4

 

PREVIOUSLY

https://generalpettygree.blogspot.com/2024/12/powder-river-pettygree-western-act-3.html

While being ambushed, C Troop, the "Walking Soldiers" and the Supply Wagon headed for cover afforded by The Little Powder River Tributary campsite.

Lakotas justifiably angered by the Burdette Gang pursued them to the campsite. The Marshall also in pursuit caught up with the gang. A temporary truce with Boss Burdette was agreed upon. All escaped into the Army campsite. 

That night, the Lakotas built numerous ridgeline campfires to intimidate the Army and two civilian groups encamped and on alert below. All awaited dawn. And now, our denouement.

Tuesday - Powder River Campsite  

Western Sector

"The sun will be up soon , Sir," said Sergeant Quincannon.

Captain Brittles replied, "And enemy campfires have been extinguished. The Lakota could come any time now. Let's walk the perimeter and check on the men."

"Aye, Capn'. There are some Cheyenne too."

Center Sector

"You see anything, Crane?," questioned Trooper Stone.

"Nope. But, that don't mean nuthn'. They're out there as sure as you and I are here," answered the Corporal. 

East Sector

"Check your weapons everyone," said the Marshall.

Two hours later desultory fire commenced against the north side of the encampment.

"Commence skirmisher fire," ordered Lieutenant Carpenter. "Aim careful an' slow. They're in heavy cover."

Soon weapon's fire started on the south side versus the dismounted cavalry.

Chief Long Eagle spoke, "Shoot the horse soldiers!"

"I told you, they were out there, Stone. Troopers, commence fire," ordered Corporal Crane.

Not long after.

"Buckmaster, they stopped firing at us. Explain," demanded Lieutenant Parmenter.

"I seen this afore Lootenant. They ain't got much ammunition after last years battles so they shoot at us here and there when they like. They are in heavy cover - hard to hit. So we use up lots of our ammunition when we shoot back. They might start again or not. Hard to say." 

Wednesday

Near 12:30 pm, Captain Brittles convened a Council of War

"Gentlemen, there were no Lakota campfires last night or noises and since dawn no hostiles have been seen. Opinions?"

Parmenter spoke first. "Sir, they could still be out there on the north and south sides behind the hills. However, at the Rosebud Battle last year, General Crook said the Lakotas left at end of the the first and only day of that engagement."

"Maybe," remarked Chance. "Should we send out patrols?" 

Further conversation ended though when Lieutenant Carpenter excitedly ran into the meeting. "Sir, there is commotion in the western sector." All turned to look. "The Burdette Gang mounted and...." but it was plain to see what was happening.

"Don't look back boys. Let's git outta' here," said Boss Nathan Burdette.

Laughing, Joe Burdette and Mumps congratulated themselves. Then  Joe shouted, "Them soldier boys was napping and sure surprised when we jumped the bushes!"

"A good thing the Lakotas left so we could get away," said Mumps.

"And trick the Marshall breaking our truce," said the Boss. "Heh, heh, ha, ha."

As the four turned a corner....

"Hou."

"Red Hat, you varmint!," shouted Boss Burdette. "How....?"

"Burdette, you just killed us!," screamed Mumps. "I should never....," but he didn't finish his tirade because....

The sound of considerable rifle and musket fire plus war whoops came through the pass. The arrows though were silent.

"Now we know the hostiles are still here," said the Marshall.

Thursday

Two hours after sunrise following another uneventful night.

"Buckmaster?," questioned Captain Brittles.

"Three smokes means they want to parlay, Capn'. Look...."

"Four braves are coming out to talk. We need to meet them. Otherwise it would be an insult," said the Scout. 

"Sir, what if this is a trick?," objected Parmenter.

"Doubtful. We'll mount up and discover what they want to say," said Brittles. "With honors; guidon, bugler and the Sergeant Major too - show 'em our bearing. Accompany us Marshall, if you please?"

"Sure."

Bugler Daws thought it was a trick when Lakota horsemen began appearing on the rise. 

Quincannon glared at him. "Steady laddy."

One warrior showing no fear proudly rode forward.

"It's Red Hat, Sir," said Buckmaster. "He wants to speak with the Soldier Chief."

Brittles rode directly forward to Red Hat saying, "I'm the Soldier Chief."

"Hou!" Then he spoke with the Scout saying, "Lakota honor was satisfied yesterday with the deaths of the Burdette whites and the gold they paid to ransom one of their own for violating a young woman." 

"Then why the battle?" demanded Brittles.

"After translating. "The Burdette people shot up their camp which riled up the warriors, especially the young ones. Several women and children were killed."

"Then tell him, we accept his reasons and the battle is ended," said the Captain.

"He agrees, Sir."

The leaders stared at each other for a long time and nodded to each other. Then the Lakotas casually turned their war ponies about and trotted away, never looking back.  

Brittles held his men in place as the warriors lining the ridge turned their ponies and....

Quietly rode away. 

The Marshall said, "We've just avoided another Indian War."

TWENTY MINUTES LATER

The unmistakable sound of clattering sabers, jangling canteens and many hooves were heard approaching on the opposite side of the camp.

So Trooper Riley and Lone Bear successfully reached the fort to bring rescue.

"Troop, HAL-ALT!," ordered the Colonel. 

He then rode forward to meet Brittles.

"Well Brittles? I see you didn't need us after all. Report."

"We're glad you're here, Sir. A large Lakota war party pinned us down for several days. Red Hat's camp was treacherously shot up by civilians of The Burdette Gang who were all killed. It's all over now with satisfied honor on both sides. We lost only one man."

"Honor! It's no honor attacking the Army when the warriors are supposed to be returning to their agencies."

"Captain Brittles, we'll rest the night but get C Troop ready to move out. C and F Troops will pursue the hostiles in the morning. The infantry will remain here as a base camp."

"Sir, with all due respect, won't we unnecessarily risk another Indian War?"

"I'll be the judge of that Captain. Now do your duty."  

"Yes, --- Sir."

CLOSING REMARKS

J.W Vaughn in With Crook At The Rosebud, dedicated his book, "To the men and warriors of both sides of the battle who fought for the right as it was given them to see the right."

Much was kindled by desperate bad actors who unnecessarily set the frontier ablaze. A familiar theme surely. 

THE END

POWDER RIVER, A PETTYGREE WESTERN ACT 3

 

PREVIOUSLY

https://generalpettygree.blogspot.com/2024/11/powder-river-pettygree-western-act-2.html

The Burdette Gang fled after a parlay with Red Hat's war party erupted in treachery.

While miles away, C Troop peacefully marching west....

Headed into unexpected trouble.

In moments you will join them down there beside a tributary of The Powder River as we listen to new orders being issued by Captain Brittles in....

ACT 3 - SURROUNDED

"Sergeant Quincannon, we have to get into cover fast. Take C Troop to the campsite just ahead and set up a perimeter. You know the place?"

"I do, Sir. It's just past them twin rocky outcrops I see now."

"Off you go then. I'll bring along the infantry and wagon directly. Also, send a trooper on the best horse we have to the fort explaining our circumstances and need for help."

"C Troop! You heard the Capn'. At the Canter. March! 

"Aye, there's fine cool water ahead for the harses' to drink and a shady bivouac for us."

"If you say so, Sergeant," smirked Bugler Daws.

A frowning Quincannon after hesitating said, "I say so."

Daws simply replied, "YO."

"There it is lads through them rocky peaks. Capn' Parmenter's infantry will be countn' on us to set up nice an' proper for their arrival."

"Lieutenant Carpenter, there's cover not far to the right. Double quick the men there firing at the hostiles on the way. Then follow the cavalry to the stream."

"Will do Captain Parmenter."

"Wagon! Follow the cavalry. Hurry unless you want to stay here permanent!," shouted the Captain.

"Independent fire as skirmishers," ordered Carpenter.

"Follow me lads while them Long Tom rifles...." 

"Give us covering fire," said Quincannon.

"Is that rain comin' in, Quincannon?," asked Daws.

"Well now, laddy. Didn't I say we'd have shade?"

"Yo."

"And here we are, bees and all!," offered Daws.

"Them's not bees, Daws, you ignorant recruit," scorned Trooper Riley. 

"We're tak'n fire at long rifle range!"

As the infantry followed along as quickly as possible pausing now and again to fire from behind a reverse slope mostly keeping the foe's heads down. So far there were no casualties.

THE MARSHALL AND THE BANDIT

"Good luck Marshall. Get 'em for my brother Frank and Pa."

"God willing Miss Polly, we'll bring the Burdette Gang to justice. I'm glad your brother is better. He'll make it with your love and care. Burdette only has a day's ride ahead of us. Now I'd better get along with...."

"The Posse."

TWO DAYS LATER

"Pa, we'd best rest the horses after escaping Red Hat. We've been rid'n hard fer two days since the robbery," said Joe.

 "Alright son. We'll rest in the shade to the left on that yonder hill. Then we'll...."

But Burdette's conversation was cut short when....

Marshall Chance shouted, "NATHAN BURDETTE! You're under arrest for...."

"Is that you Marshall?," asked Boss Burdette. "Fer what?"

"The robbery and near killing at Peabody's Mine Trading Post two days ago."

"That weren't us Marshall. You ain't got no proof!"

"Our six rifles and Colts is all the proof we need. Throw down your weapons, get off your horses and lie on the ground with your arms stretched out," demanded Chance.

"Pa, we ain't got a chance!," whispered Joe.

"You try'n to be funny, boy?"

Then Mumps shouted, "We got trouble boss. Lookee there!"

Burdette groaned, "Tarnation. Red Hat's after us!

"Marshall, we gotta talk," cried Burdette. Let's call a truce. Otherwise, we'll all lose our hair."

"Okay. A temporary truce. No time to talk more, Burdette. Everyone, turn around and head for the Little Powder River where there's plenty of cover," said the Marshall.

"We're gonna get cut off!, said Ryan.

"Hoka Hey!" (Charge!)

LITTLE POWDER RIVER CAMPSITE

"Riley, the Capn.' wants you to ride to the fort for help. Take Lone Bear with you and hurry," ordered Quincannon. "Here's...."

"The message for the Colonel. Now be off with ye while things are quiet!"

"Good luck Riley an' Lone Bear!" cheered Willis.

Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the camp, Lieutenant Parmenter saw a group of cowboys being chased by a war party. He ordered a section of infantry out to provide covering fire.

"The campsite is up ahead. Head for it," said the Marshall.

"Gotta turn a might to get there," shouted Burdette.

"Did you hear that, boys?" exclaimed Flint. "Look!"

A skirmish line fired their Springfield Long Toms covering the incoming riders.

Two warriors were brought down. Realizing the situation had significantly changed, the pursuers turned away as....

The cowboys halted their blown horses at the camp's east end.

"My name's Lieutenant Parmenter. You men are mostly darn lucky we are here. Are you Marshall John Chance?," asked Parmenter."

"Pleased to meet ya, Loo-tenant, answered Chance. Thank you for your support but, what do you mean mostly lucky?"

"Well Sir. Though it's not apparent, we're surrounded. The Lakota are massing piecemeal on the surrounding hills. Escape is unfeasible. The infantry would slow us down too much. We'd be cut down out in the open. So we deployed here in the best cover hear a bouts."

"Well Burdette. I expect this is where I'll stand with my men and take what comes. What about you?," asked Chance.

"Seeing as we have a truce 'tween us, I'll ask the boys. I reckon we'll stay," said Burdette.

Parmenter interrupted saying, "Let's retire into cover. We're exposed to desultory fire out here and the Captain will want to talk with you. C'mon inside. Sundown is not far off. 

"What do desultory mean?," asked Mumps.

Much later to no one in particular, Quincannon remarked, "There's more campfires out there tonight laddies. Meybe' they'll come calling at dawn."

COME BACK IN TWO WEEKS FOR

THE CONCLUSION OF POWDER RIVER IN

ACT 4 - THE ATTACK

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